In a renewed effort to combat cheating in its blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, Activision announced updates to its anti-cheat system aimed at blocking the use of third-party devices like XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1. The changes, set to roll out alongside season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 later this week, shift focus from detecting the hardware itself to analyzing player inputs for unnatural patterns. This marks the second major crackdown by the publisher on these adapters, which allow console players to use mouse and keyboard setups while exploiting aim assist features for an unfair edge in games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 7.
Activision's RICOCHET anti-cheat team emphasized the deceptive nature of these devices in a statement. “These devices are not permitted in Call of Duty,” the team said. “They are cheating tools, even if they masquerade as accessibility devices.” The company first targeted such hardware nearly three years ago during the launches of Warzone and Modern Warfare II, but those efforts yielded mixed results as cheaters adapted quickly.
The challenge lies in the evolving design of these peripherals, which are sold openly at major retailers and frequently updated by manufacturers to evade detection. According to Activision, “Stopping these devices takes more than looking for a specific piece of hardware because they are designed to hide, adapt, and change configurations to avoid simple detection.” This cat-and-mouse dynamic has been a persistent headache for anti-cheat developers across the gaming industry, where cheaters often outpace security measures through firmware tweaks and community-shared workarounds.
To address this, Activision is pivoting to behavioral analysis. The updated RICOCHET system will scrutinize “input timing, consistency, and response patterns to distinguish natural human play from machine-modified input,” the company explained. This approach targets anomalies such as “recoil control, aim behavior, and input precision that exceed what is physically possible through a standard controller or mouse.” By focusing on how players interact rather than what hardware they use, Activision aims to catch cheaters without relying on easily spoofed device signatures.
The new detections come as part of a broader overhaul, including enhanced cloud-based verification powered by Microsoft Azure Attestation. Since Activision was acquired by Microsoft in 2023 for $68.7 billion, the integration of Azure's security tools has accelerated. This technology will verify PC integrity to block bypass attempts on system-level protections, starting with Ranked Play matches in Black Ops 7. It builds on existing requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which were mandated for PC players to ensure a tamper-resistant environment.
Cheating with third-party adapters has long frustrated the Call of Duty community, particularly in competitive modes where precision can make or break a match. Devices like the Cronus Zen enable macros for rapid-fire and anti-recoil scripts, while XIM and ReaSnow S1 convert mouse inputs to controller signals, amplifying aim assist on consoles. Reports from players and esports analysts suggest these tools have contributed to a toxic environment, with ban waves in the past failing to stem the tide completely.
Activision's previous ban efforts, launched in late 2021, initially suspended thousands of accounts but saw resurgence as device makers released countermeasures. For instance, Cronus Zen's developers marketed firmware updates as "anti-ban" solutions, prompting Activision to refine its tactics. The company's statement this week acknowledges the ongoing battle: “It’s a constant game of cat and mouse for anti-cheat developers, especially when these devices are regularly updated by the manufacturers and sold at big retailers.”
Industry experts have welcomed the input-focused strategy, though some caution it could lead to false positives for legitimate players with accessibility needs. One gaming security consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that while behavioral detection is promising, it requires fine-tuning to avoid penalizing skilled human players. Activision has not detailed the exact thresholds for flagging suspicious inputs, but the system is designed to evolve with machine learning updates.
The rollout timing aligns with season 2's launch, expected imminently for Black Ops 7, which has seen explosive popularity since its October 2024 release. With over 100 million players across platforms, the franchise generates billions in annual revenue, making fair play crucial for retention. Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale mode, has been especially vulnerable, with cheater complaints spiking during high-stakes events like the ongoing World Series of Warzone tournament.
Beyond device bans, Activision is bolstering server-side protections. The Azure Attestation integration, a first for Call of Duty, uses hardware-rooted trust to confirm that anti-cheat software hasn't been altered. This is particularly vital for PC, where software cheats like aimbots remain rampant. Officials said the feature will expand to all modes after initial testing in Ranked Play, potentially reducing ban evasion rates that have hovered around 20-30% in past waves, according to internal estimates leaked in 2023.
Player reactions on social media and forums like Reddit's r/CallOfDuty have been mixed. Some hail the changes as a step toward cleaner lobbies, with one prominent streamer tweeting, "Finally, maybe I can drop in Verdansk without getting lasered by a mouse cheater." Others express skepticism, citing past unfulfilled promises. Device manufacturers have yet to respond publicly, but historical patterns suggest they may issue patches or disclaimers emphasizing "legal" use for accessibility.
This initiative reflects broader trends in gaming anti-cheat, where companies like Epic Games and Riot have adopted similar input monitoring in titles such as Fortnite and Valorant. However, privacy concerns linger, as analyzing player data raises questions about data handling under regulations like GDPR in Europe. Activision maintains that all detections occur in real-time without storing personal information beyond what's needed for enforcement.
Looking ahead, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested in the coming weeks as season 2 brings new maps, weapons, and events to Black Ops 7 and Warzone. If successful, it could set a precedent for console-PC cross-play integrity across Microsoft's ecosystem, including future titles like the anticipated Call of Duty 2025. Activision's ongoing commitment signals that cheating remains a top priority, even as the studio navigates post-acquisition integration and prepares for the next evolution of its anti-cheat arsenal.
For now, the gaming world watches closely. With millions logging in daily, any improvement in match fairness could bolster the franchise's reputation and sustain its dominance in the competitive shooter market. As one Activision spokesperson put it, the goal is simple: to ensure every player experiences the game as intended—through skill, not shortcuts.